Dispensing device



May 25, 1965 D. F. ARMOUR 3,184,782

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July so, 1963 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG] INVENTOR.

DONALD F. ARMOUR A TTORNE Y May 25, 1965 D. F. ARMOUR 3,184,782

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 30, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 *i INVENTOR.

DONALD E ARMOUR WM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,184,732 DISPENSINGDEVICE Donald F. Armour, Bloomfieid, Conn, assignor to Monsanto Company,a corporation of Delaware Filed July 30, 1963, Ser. No. 2%,620 11Claims. (Ci. -594) This invention pertains to improved dispensingdevices. In particular, it relates to containers for dispensingmaterials such as liquids or semifluid solids, which containers areprovided with a unique valve mechanism.

The concept of employing a valve mechanism in the outlet of a materialreservoir or container is well-known. However, heretofore such valvemechanisms have required a manipulation of components positionedadjacent an exposed material outlet. Thus, where material residue waspresent on an outlet or on a material applicator positioned on theoutlet, a person attempting to manipulate the valve mechanism ofteninadvertently and undesirably contacted such material.

Container valve mechanisms of the type previously employed have oftenproven to be nettlesome with respect to the intricacy of theirmanipulations. In many instances it was diflicult for a user todetermine whether or not a valve had been properly positioned and themanipulation of the valve mechanism often proved tedious, frustratingand time consuming in nature.

In recognition of the problems associated with dispenser valvemechanisms of the type previously known, it is an object of thisinvention to provide an improved dispensing device including a valvemechanism which substantially obviates dimculties of the type heretoforedescribed.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide such an improveddispensing device including a valve mechanism which is automaticallyoperable in response to the securing and releasing of a container outletclosure.

A still further principal object of the invention is to provide animproved dispensing device including functionally interrelated, materialoutlet, valve, and outlet closure components which cooperate to allow auser to effect the simultaneous securing of the closure and closing ofthe dispenser valve, as well as the simultaneous releasing of theclosure for removal from the outlet and the opening of the valve.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide such interrelatedoutlet, closure, and valve components which cooperate to insure accurateand positive positioning of a dispenser outlet valve in both open andclosed valve positions, responsive only to the securing or freeing ofthe closure on the dispenser material outlet.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a structuralassembly of a container closure, container outlet and outlet valve whichis characterized by cylindrically configured components which arecoaxially and mutually telescopingly arranged and operablyinterconnected by appropriate abutment means so as to provide astructure of maximum simplicity, foolproof mode of assembly, andfunctional reliability.

In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, there is envisioned adispensing device including a material reservoir which is improved bythe addition of a unique combination of material outlet means, valvemeans, closure means, and valve actuating means. The valve means isassociated with the outlet means and adapted to control the exit ofmaterial therefrom. The closure means is adapted to be positioned overthe outlet means. The valve actuating means is operable between theclosure means and the valve means for causing the valve means to open inresponse to one relative movement between the closure means and outletmeans, and for causing the valve means to close in response to anotherrelative movement between the closure means and outlet means. V

ice

In the preferred embodiment, the valve means comprises a rotary valvejournaled within a generally cylindrical sleeve extending from thematerial reservoir which defines the material outlet. The valveactuating means comprises cap-carried abutment means, sleeve-carriedabutment means, and rotary valve-carried abutment means. A portion ofthe cap-carried abutment means is adapted to cooperate with thesleeve-carried abutment means, while another portion of the cap-carriedabutment means is adapted to simultaneously cooperate with valvecarriedabutment means to cause the simultaneous closing of the valve andsecuring of the cap on the sleeve when the cap is rotated in onedirection. Rotating the cap in the opposite direction is effective tosimultaneously open the valve means and free the cap from the sleeve toallow its axial removal therefrom.

In describing the invention, reference will be made to a preferredembodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a container in which theimproved dispensing outlet of the invention is incorporated;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, partially sectioned and enlarged view ofcomponents of the improved dispensing outlet of the invention shown inaxially separated relationship;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, and partially sectionedelevational view of the improved dispenser outlet shown in FIGURE 1illustrating a relationship between the valve and material outletcomponents of the dispenser;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the dispenser outlet components shown inFIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the open valverelationship between valve and outlet components of the FIGURE 1 deviceas viewed along section line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary and partially sectioned,elevational view of the FIGURE 1 device illustrating a relationshipbetween the assembled closure, valve, and outlet components, with thevalve being in an open or material dispensing position;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view which illustrates a relationshipbetween the valve and closure components of the FIGURE 1 device, asviewed along the section line '77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view illustrating a relationshipbetween the closure, outlet, and valve components of the FIGURE 1 deviceas viewed along the section line 3S of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, and partially FIGURE 11 is atransverse sectional view illustrating:

a relationship'between closure, outlet, and valve components of theFIGURE 1 device as viewed along the section line 1111 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a transverse sectional view illustrating a closed valverelationship between the valve and outlet components of the FIGURE1,device as viewed along the section line 1212 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 13 is a schematic and fragmentary illustration of'valve actuatingand closure securing abutment components of the FIGURE 1 deviceillustrating these components in an open valve position; and

FIGURE 14 is a schematic and fragmentary illustration of valve actuatingand closure securing, abutment com comprise a flexible walled bottlefabricated of plastic material, is provided with a material outletassembly 2. As shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, outlet assembly 2 includesmaterial outlet defining sleeve means 3 which has a generallycylindrical configuration. Valve means comprising a rotary valve 4 isjournaled, i.e., rotatably mounted, within a cylindrical portion 5 ofsleeve 3 in the manner generally shown in FIGURE 3.

Rotary valve 4 has a cylindrical portion 6 having an outer diametercorresponding closely to the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 5of the sleeve 3. As shown, valve 4 is coaxially and telescopinglyarranged within sleeve portion 5 so as to project partially therefrom.Thus sleeve means 3 and roary valve 4 have a common cylindrical axis (A)as shown in FIGURE 3. The effective securing of the valve 4 within thesleeve portion 5 may be facilitated by an annular bead 7 which projectsradially outwardly from the cylindrical, outer periphery of rotary valve'4. Bead 7 is received within an annular groove 8 formed within theinner cylindrical periphery of the sleeve portion *5.

By fabricating the sleeve means 3 of a slightly yieldable plasticmaterial such as polyethylene or polypropylene, the valve head 7 may bemoved into engagement with the sleeve groove 8 by merely forcing therotary valve 4 axially into the cylindrical sleeve portion 5 until thebead enters the groove 8 to lock the valve and sleeve in their journaledrelationship. In this relationship, the

I bead 7 may engage the groove 8 to such an extent as to valve 4 butwould be facilitated by fabricating the valve 4 of slightly yieldablematerial.

' Where a material is to be dispensed, such as glue, shoe polish'orothermaterial to be spread on an appropriate surface, it may be desirable toprovide a material applicator 9 in association with the valve 4. Asshown in FIGURES 2 and 3, such an applicator 9 may comprise acylindrical segment having a sloping applicator face 10, or othershapes, depending on the product to be dispensedr Applicator 9 may befabricated of relatively soft, resilientmaterial such as soft solidrubber, sponge rubher, soft solid plastic, soft cellular plastic, orfelt.

Applicator 9 may be fabricated so as to be detachable from the valve 4.As illustrated, applicator 9 may be attached to the valve 4 by anannularly grooved neck portion 11 adapted to be peripherally engaged andsecured by an annular rim 12 of the valve body 4. Owing to the resilientcharacter of the applicator 9, assembly be- 'Qf this material through alongitudinally or axially extending passagel3 formed inthe applicator 9.Through means of an enlarged passage portion 13a, passage 1 dinallyextending passages 17 which communicate with the interior 18 of thematerial reservoir 1 by way of open interior portion .19 on the lowerend of the sleeve means 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair'of longitudinal sleeve passages 17are provided which are'located on 0pposite sides of the sleeve portion5. In the manner shown in FIGURES 2 and 3,-each such passagel? may beformed in an outwardly projecting wall portion 17a of the sleeve 3. Asshown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 5, the rotary valve-4 may include a pair oflateral ports 16, which are disposed on opposite, sides of thecylindrical valve wall 6 and adapted to be simultaneously aligned withthe longitudinal passages 17. As will be apparent, when one port 16 isaligned with onepassage 17, the other valve port will be aligned withthe other longitudinal sleeve passage. This inclusion of thetwo ports 16also permits assembly of the. valve 4 without indexing of the valve.

When the rotary valve body 4 is rotated to. the position shown inFIGURES 3 and 5, so as to, align at least communicates with a relativelyenlarged and axially or longitudinally, extending material passage 14formed in the valve bodyt. The side wall'or cylindrical portion 6 of thevalve body 4 is provided withat least one laterally extending port 16;which provides communication between idle and 191). of theabutmentltilh. 70.-

the valve passage 14 and the exterior of the valve body. 7

The lower end of the valve body 2 is closed by a transverse wall 15.

, As shown in FIGURES sand 5, the sleeve means a may-be providedwith oneormore generally longituthe ports 16, with sleeve passages 17,'amaterial passageway is provided from the interior 18 of the materialreservoir 1 to the exterior of the material applicator 9. Thispassageway includes the sleeve interior portion 19, the longitudinalsleeve passageways 17, the valve ports 16, the valve body passage 14,and-the material applicator passage 13, which opens on the applicator,or material spreading surface. 10.

As will be appreciated, owing to the closely fitting relationshipbetween'the outer cylindrical surface of the valve body 4 and the innercylindrical surface of the sleeve portion 5, the valve body 4 may berotated so as todisplacethe ports '16 from the passages 17 and thusclose the material passageway by causing portions of the inner surfaceof thesleeve portion 5 to extend across and seal the ports'l6.

The dispensing device shown in FIGURE 1 includes a closure or cap 29; Asillustrated, cap 29 is generally cylindrical in configurationand'includes a cylindrical porsuch asmetal or plastic. As will beapparent by reference to FIGURES l, 2 and 6, for example, cap 2% willhave 'a cylindrical axis coincidingwithzthe sleeve means and valve axis(A) when the cap is in its assembled position.

The simultaneous valve actuating and cap securing and releasing actionachieved through the present invention is accomplished through theinteraction of a series of abutment means carried by the cap 20, therotary valve 4, and materialoutlet definingsle'eve 3.

Rotary movement of thevalve, responsive to cap movement, is eifected bythe interaction of first abutment means abutments 191a and ltlllbdisposed, respectively, on 0pposite sides of the interior of the cap 26.Each abutment 101a and 1-9111 projects laterally and generally radiallyinwardly from theinner cylindrical surface of thecap' portion 21. Thefirst abutment meansineludesifirst surfacev means extending generally.longitudinally, and radially of, the cylindrical axis of the .cap .29such asthe surfaces 1191c and Mid of. the abutment 101a andthe surfacesThe second abutment'meansv comprises a .pairv of gen erallyrectangular;'abutinent' portions 162av and 1621). Each suchrectangularabutment portion projects laterally outwardly and generally radiallyfrom the outer surface: of the. cylindrical wall 6 of the rotary valve4. Each such rectangularabutment portion includes second surface meansextending generally radially and longitudinally of the cylindrical axisof the rotary valve 4. Included in this second surface means are thesurfaces 1020 and 102d carried by the abutment portion 102a and thesurfaces 10212 and 102 carried by the abutment portion 102]).

As shown in FIGURE 7, when the cap 20 is positioned over the sleeve 3,with the valve 4 journaled within the sleeve portion 5 and projectingpartially thereabove, the abutment portions 101a and 101b are disposedso as to lie in axial alignment with and between the second abutments102a and 102b,

As shown in FIGURE 7, the circumferential extent of the abutmentportions 101a and 101b is sufliciently limited to allow the abutmentportions 102a and 10215 to pass at least partially axially thereby so asto position the abutment surfaces of these abutments in at leastpartially axially overlapping relationship. With this relationship, thesurface 102d will lie opposite the surface 101d, the surface 1010 willlie opposite the surface 102f, the surface 101a will lie opposite thesurface 102e while the surface 101 will lie opposite the surface 102C.

The securing of the cap 20 on the sleeve 3 so as to prevent its axialmovement therefrom is obtained by the cooperation of third and fourthabutment means.

The third abutment means carried by the cap 20 may comprise a pair ofabutments 103a and carried by the cylindrical portion 21 of the cap'20.Each abutment 103a and 103b extends generally radially inwardly of theinner surface of the cylindrical portion 21 of the cap 20.

The third abutment means includes third surface means which projectlaterally inwardly of the inner surface of the cylindrical cap portion21 and extend transversely of the cylindrical cap axis. Such thirdsurface means include the surfaces 103a and 103d of the abutments 103aand 1031), respectively. As illustrated, these surfaces are disposed soas to face away from the material reservoir 1.

The fourth abutment means, carried by the sleeve means 3, may comprise apair of abutments 104a and 104b each of which extends generally radiallyoutwardly of the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve portion 5. Thefourth abutment means includes fourth surface means disposed so as toface the material reservoir, which fourth surface means includes thesurface 104s of the abutment 104a and the surface 104d of the abutment10412.

The extent to which the sleeve abutments 104a and 10411 extendcircumferentially about the periphery of the sleeve portion 5 issufiiciently limited so as to allow for the longitudinal passage of theabutments 103a and 103b at least partially thereby when the cap 20 isinserted on the sleeve portion 5. With this relationship, the abutments103a and 103b may pass between the abutments 104a and 10% as the cap 20is moved axially over the sleeve portion 5 toward the material reservoir1 so as to dispose at least a portion of the surface 1030 which liesadjacent the surface 1040 at a point intermediate the adjacent portionof this surface 104a and the material reser voir 1. Similarly, at leasta portion of the surface 103d which lies adjacent the surface 104d willbe disposed intermediate at least the adjacent portion of the surface104d and the material reservoir 1. With this arrangement, the cap 20 maybe rotated on and relative to the sleeve portion 5 so as to cause thesurfaces 103a and 103d tomove respectively 'under the surfaces 104a and104d so as to secure and prevent axial removal of the cap 20 from thesleeve means 3.

The circumferential overlapping of the surfaces 1030 and 1040 and thesurfaces 10% and 103d in and of itself provides an effective capsecuring action. However, if

desired, and as shown in FIGURES 13 and 14, the surface 103a and thesurface 1040 may be provided with surfaces which slope in complementaryrelationship and the surfaces 10401 and 103d may be provided with asimilar complementary. sloping relationship so as to allow the cap 20,when rotated on the sleeve portion 5 to become wedgingly secured tothis'sleeve portion. As will be appreciated, this wedging actionrequires that the cap be secured against axial movement toward thematerial reservoir 1 prior to the rotation of the cap. This limitationon axial cap movement may be provided by annular ledge portions or stops20a and 20b which are adapted to respectively engage the upper surfacesof the abutments 102a and 1021) as illustrated in FIGURE 6.

Limitations on the extent of rotary movement of the valve 4, which willensure that at one extremity it is in an accurately defined open valveposition with the ports 16 and the sleeve passages 17 aligned and thatat another extremity it is in a closed valve position with the ports 16and the sleeve passages 17 out of alignment, is obtained by fifth andsixth abutment means.

The fifth abutment means, carried by the sleeve portion 5, comprises apair of abutments 105a and 10512, each of which projects longitudinallyupwardly from the upper end of the sleeve portion 5. The fifth abutmentmeans includes fifth surface means which extend generally radially andlongitudinally of the cylindrical axis of the sleeve 3. Such fifthsurface means include the surfaces 105a and 105d carried by the abutment105a and similar surfaces carried by the abutment 105b.

The sixth abutment means, carried by the rotary valve 4, includes a pairof rectangular abutment portions 106a and 10612 which partially overlapand define integral but offset extensions of the rotary abutmentportions 102a and 1022 respectively.

The sixth abutment means includes sixth surface means such as thesurfaces 1060 and 106d of the abutment 106a which extend radially andlongitudinally of the cylindrical axis of the rotary valve 4 and similarsurfaces of the abutment 10611.

With the valve 4 journaled within the sleeve portion 5, the sixthsurface means will at least partially overlap the fifth surface means soas to provide rotary stops for limiting the extent of rotary movement ofthe valve 4. For example, engagement between surfaces 105a and 1060 willproperly align the valve ports 16 with the sleeve passages 17 as shownin FIGURE 13, while engagement between the surface 106d and the abutment1051) will define the extent to which the rotary valve 4 may be moved toa closed valve position as shown in FIGURE 14.

Seventh and eighth surface means may be included in the device so as toafford positive stop means for limiting the extent of axial movement ofthe valve 4 into the sleeve 5 so as to prevent the inadvertent movementof the valve 4 into the material reservoir 18 during valve installation.

The seventh surface means may comprise sleeve carried surfaces 107a and107!) each of which extends generally transversely and radially of andpartially circumferentially around the cylindrical portion 5 of thesleeve 3.

The eighth surface means extends radially outwardly of the outer surfaceof the cylindrical portion 5 and partially circumferentially thereabout.The eighth surface means may include a pair of surfaces formed on thelower sides of abutments 106a and 10612. One such surface 108a formed onabutment 106a as illustrated in FIG- URE 13, faces downwardly, i.e.toward the material reservoir 1, and is adapted to engage the upwardlyfacing surface 107a. As will be appreciated, when the eighth surfacemeans engages the seventh surface means, axial movement of the valve 4inwardly of the sleeve 5 is positively interrupted or stopped.

As illustrated, the second, sixth and eighth surface means may eachinclude a surface formed on an integral and generally radially outwardlyextending projection of a FIGURE-l3, the surface 108:: of the eighthsurface.

means is in mutually intersecting relationship with the surfaces 106::and 106d" of the sixth surface means.

As illustrated, at least one surface of the fifth surface meansintersects at leastone surface of the seventh surface means on the upperend of sleeve portion 5. For example, the surface 107a of the seventhsurface means is in mutually intersecting relationship with the surface1050. a Y The cap carried first and third abutment means 101a, 101b,103a and 10312, cooperate with the valve carried abutment means 102a and10217 and with the sleeve carried abutment means 104:; and 10412 toeffect a simultaneous valve and cap operating action.

The first and second abutment means 161a, lull), 102a and 10212 aredisposed in relation to the third and fourth abutment means 103a, 103b,104a and 1041) so that when the cap 20 is moved axially over the sleeveportion to bring the first surface means opposite or adjacent to thesecond surface means, the third abutments M311 and 1631) are caused toassume the position illustrated in FIGURES 6, 8, and 13. In the FIGURE13 position, the abutments 103a and 1031? have moved at least partiallypast the fourth abutments 104a and 104b. In this position, the valve 4and sleeve 5 are in the relative positions shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 13with the valve in the open or material dispensing position. Theabutments 101a and 1011: are positioned between and aligned with theabutments 192a and 16% as shown in FIGURE 7. As shown in FIGURE 8 andFIGURE 13, theabutments 103a and 10312 lie between the abutments 1M1:and 10417 but are axially displaced therefrom. With the apparatuscomponents thus positioned, the cap 20 may be rotated ciockwise, whenviewing the device as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, so as to causesimultaneous valve closing and seem-- ing of the cap 20. Thissimultaneous action is achieved.

by engagement between the surfaces 101d and ltlZd and the surfaces Idleand 1022 which causes rotation of the valve 4 to a closed valve positionas shown in FIGURES 9, 10, and 14, and by the movement of the surfaces163a and 103d, respectively, beneath the surfaces 1040 and 104d asshownin FIGURES 9, l1, and 14.

When the apparatus components have assumed the closed valvepositionillustrated in FIGURES 9, 10, 11,

12 and 14, counterclockwise rotation of the cap 2t? will effectsimultaneous reopening of the valve and release of the cap for axialremoval from the sleeve 3. As will be appreciated, such counterclockwiserotation of the cap 29 I will cause the surfaces 101c and 101 torespectively engage the valve surfacesltlzf and ltlzc'so as to causecounterclockwise valve rotation and cause the surfaces 1030 and 103d tomove counterclockwise to a position displaced from the surfaces 104s and104d.

With the alignment of abutments shown, if the valve 4 should be rotatedto a closed valve position with the cap off, it would not be possible toreplace the cap .on the closure in an improper fashion and attempt tosecure the cap and rotate the valve. With the valve rotated tothe closedposition shown in FIGURE 9, the abutments idea and 104i) Will engagetheabutments 103a and 1&3]: so as to prevent movement of the cap abutments161a and 10112 3 W317 will ofnecessity engage the abutments 1M: and 16thso as to prevent the abutments 191a and ltilb from moving into operativeengagement with thevalve'carried abutments 162a and M9212.

In describing the structure and operation-of theim proved valvemechanism of the invention, the several advantages of the invention havebeen made apparent.

A valve mechanismhas been provided by means of which simultaneous valveactuation and closure securing and releasing may be achieved responsiveto cap manipulation. There is no necessity for a user to engage valvecomponents'adjacent exposed material outlets where there would be adanger of touching material residue.

A valve mechanisnrhas been provided wherein both open and closed valvepositions are positively determined merely through the action ofreleasing or securing a container closure. No tedious manipulations ofvalve actuatingmembers is thus necessary.

The coaxial arrangement of sleeve, valve and closure components and theunique utilization of abutments integral with these components enablesthe'production of a functionally effective but structurally simpledevice. This device includes only three components, each of which may beconveniently fabricated by conventional molding techniques. Thearrangement of abutments on the components is such as to positivelyprevent improper assembly of I the cap, valve and sleeve components.

into'the spaces ,between the abutment portions 102a and r 102k.This-safety feature vwhich insures a foolproof mode of assembly ofcomponents.results'from the relative positioningof component abutments.When the valve 4 has been rotated to the closed valve position theabutments 102a and 10212 are generally alignedwith the abutments 104a'and 10412, respectively, asshown in FIGURES 9,' 10, 11, and 14 As shownin FIGURES .9, 10, and 11,

the cap carried abutments lime-and 16935 are circumferentially offsetfrom the cap carried abutments 101a and liilb and are disposed betweenthe abutments 101a and 1131b and the material reservoir. 1." With thisarrange ment of'cap abutments, and when the valve is in the closedposition shown in FIGURE 14, the abutments 103a and While the inventionhas been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will bereadily apparent that its scope is such as to encompass additions,modifications, deletions, substitutions, and other changesin relationtothe illustrated form of the invention. What is claimed is: 1. In adispensing device, including a material reservoir, the improvementcomprising;-

sleeve means having generally cylindrical, inner and outer portions andextending from said material reservoir and defining a material outlet;rotary valve means having a generally cylindrical outer portionjournaled within said generally cylindrical inner portions of saidsleeve means; cap means'having a generally cylindrical inner portionadapted to telescopingly pass over said outer cylindrical portion ofsaid sleeve .means and be rotated to a secured cap position; r cap meanscarried abutment means projecting generally laterally inwardly from thegenerally cylindrical inner portion of said cap means; sleeve meanscarried abutment means projecting generally laterally outwardly from thegenerally cylindrical outer portion of said sleeve means; and

valve means carried abutment means projecting gener-' ally laterallyoutwardly from the generally cylindrical outer. portion of said valvemeans;

said cap means carried abutment means being adapted to cooperate withsaid sleeve means carried abutment means and said valve means carriedabutment means to cause the simultaneous rotation andclosing'of saidvalve means and securing ofsaid cap meanson said sleeve means when saidcap means is rotated in one direction and for causingsimultaneous'rotation and opening of said valve means and freeing ofsaid cap' means in relation to saidsleeve means to allow its portionjour-naled within said generally cylindrical inner portionof said sleevemeans; 1 cap means having a generally cylindrical inner portion 7 iadapted" to ivtele'scopinglyj pass .over said ioutlerf cvlindricalportion of said sleeve means and be rotated to a secured cap position;

first abutment means carried by said cap means and projecting generallylaterally inwardly from the generally cylindrical inner portion of saidcap means;

second abutment means carried by said rotary valve means, projectinggenerally laterally outwardly from the generally cylindrical outerportion of said rotary valve means, and adapted to be engaged by saidfirst abutment means to cause rotation of said valve means in responseto rotation of said cap means;

third abutment means carried on said sleeve means and projectinggenerally laterally outwardly from the generally cylindrical outerportion of said sleeve means; and

fourth abutment means carried on said cap means,

projecting generally laterally inwardly from the cylindrical innerport-ion of said cap means, and adapted to engage said third abutmentmeans to secure said cap means on said sleeve means and prevent itsaxial removal therefrom.

3. In a dispensing device as described in claim 2:

said rotary valve means including at least one longitudinally extendingmaterial passage and at least one laterally extending port communicatingwith said passage; and

said sleeve means including at least one longitudinally extendingpassageway adapted to provide communication between said materialreservoir and said port of said rotary valve means when said rotaryvalve means is rotated so as to align said port therewith.

4. In a dispensing device as described in claim 2:

material applicator means mounted on said valve means,

said material applicator means being adapted to be received within saidclosure means when said closure means is positioned over said outletmeans.

5. In a dispensing device as described in claim 2:

said first abutment means and said second abutment means being disposedin relation to said third and fourth abutment means so that when saidcap means is moved axially over said sleeve means to position said firstabutment means in rot-atably engageable relationship relative to saidsecond abutment means, said third abutment means is caused to move atleast partially past said fourth abutment means so that, when said capmeans is rotated, said third abutment means is caused tocircumferential-1y overlap fourth abutment means.

6. In a dispensing device as described in claim 5:

stop means for limiting axial movement of said cap means over saidsleeve means toward said material reservoir; and

said third abutment means and said fourth abutment means having surfaceportions sloping in complementary relationship so that, when said capmeans has been moved axially over said sleeve means so as to cause saidthird abutment means to move at least partially past said fourthabutment means, said cap means may be rotated relative to said sleevemeans to cause the sloping surface portion of said third abutment meansto engage the sloping portion of said fourth abutment means and, incooperation with said stop means, wedge said cap means on said sleevemeans.

' 7. In a dispensing device as described in claim 2:

said first abutment means including first surface means extendinggenerally longitudinally and radially of a cylindrical axis of said capmeans;

.said second abutment means including second surface means extendinggenerally radially and longitudinally of a cylindrical axis of saidrotary valve means;

said first abutment means and said second abutment meanscircumferentially extending respectively about the inner periphery ofsaid cap means and the outer periphery of said rotary valve means tosuch a limited extent as to allow said first abutment means to passpartially by said second abutment means when said cap means is axiallymoved over said sleeve means, and position at least a portion of saidfirst surface means adjacent and axially overlapping at least a portionof said second surface means;

said third abutment means including third surface means projectinglaterally inwardly of said inner cylindrical portion of said cap meansand extending transversely of a cylindrical axis thereof, said thirdsurface means being adapted to face away from said material reservoirwhen said cap means is positioned over said sleeve means, said thirdabutment means extending generally radially inwardly of said innercylindrical wall portion of said cap means;

said fourth abutment means extending generally radially outwardly ofsaid outer cylindrical portion of said sleeve means and including fourthsurface means projecting transversely outwardly of a cylindrical axis ofsaid sleeve means, said fourth surface means facing said materialreservoir; and

said third abutment means and said fourth abutment meansciroumferentially extending, respectively, about the inner periphery ofsaid cap means and the outer periphery of said sleeve means to such alimited extent as to allow said third abutment means to pass at leastpartially by said fourth abutment means when said cap means is axiallymoved over said sleeve means and position at least a portion of saidthird surface means, in relation to the axis of said sleeve means,intermediate at least a portion of said fourth surface means and saidmaterial reservorr.

8. In a dispensing device as described in claim 7:

fifth abutment means projecting longitudinally upwardly from an upperend of said sleeve means, said fifth abutment means including fifthsurface means extending generally radially and longitudinally of thecylindrical axis of said sleeve means; and

sixth abutment means projecting generally radially outwardly from saidouter cylindrical portion of said rotary valve means, said sixthabutment means including sixth surface means extending generallyradially and longitudinally of the cylindrical axis of said rotary valvemeans;

said sixth abutment means being adapted to be disposed in relation tosaid fifth abutment means so that said fifth and sixth surface meanswill at least partially axially overlap so as to limit the extent ofrotation of said rotary valve means.

9. In a dispensing device as described in claim 8:

seventh surface means extending generally radially of and partiallycircumferentially around a cylindrical portion of said sleeve means,said seventh surface means facingaway from said material reservoir; and

eighth surface means extending radially outwardly of the outercylindrical surface of said rotary valve means and partiallycircu-mferentially thereabout, said eighth surface means facinggenerally toward said material reservoir and adapted to engage saidseventh surface means to limit axial movement of said rotary valve meanstoward said material reservoir.

10. In a dispensing device as described in claim 9:

said second, sixth and eighth surface means each including at least onesurface formed on an integral and radially, outwardly extendingprojection of the cylindrical surface of said rotary valve means, withsaid one surface of said sixth and eighth surface means being inmutually intersecting relationship; and

said fifth and seventh surface means each including at least one surfaceformed on an upper end of said sleeve means, with said one surface ofsaid fifth and seventh surface means being in mutually intersectingrelationship.

11. In a dispensing device as described in claim 2:

said third abutment means carried by said cap means beingcircumferentially offset from said first abutment means carried by saidcap means and adapted to be disposed between the axial location of saidfirst abutment means and said material reservoir; and

said second abutment means carried by said rotary valve means beingadapted to be ciroumferentially aligned with said "fourth abutment meanscarriedby said sleeve means when said rotary valve means is in a closedvalve position whereby said third .abut-' References (Iited by theExaminer UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,823,403 2/58 Whitney 1s-572 FOREIGN.PATENTS 270,136 11/50 Switzerland.

15 CHARLES A.-WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner;

1. IN A DISPENSING DEVICE, INCLUDING A MATERIAL RESERVOIR, THEIMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: SLEEVE MEANS HAVING GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL, INNERAND OUTER PORTIONS AND EXTENDING FROM SAID MATERIAL RESERVOIR ANDDEFINING A MATERIAL OUTLET; ROTARY VALVE MEANS HAVING A GENERALLYCYLINDRICAL OUTER PORTION JOURNALED WITHIN SAID GENERALLY CYLINDRICALINNER PORTIONS OF SAID SLEEVE MEANS; CAP MEANS HAVING A GENERALLYCYLINDRICAL INNER PORTION ADAPTED TO TELESCOPINGLY PASS OVER THE SAIDOUTER CYLINDRICAL PORTION OF SAID SLEEVE MEANS AND BE ROTATED TO ASECURED CAP POSITION; CAP MEANS CARRIED ABUTMENT MEANS PROJECTINGGENERALLY LATERALLY INWARDLY FROM THE GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL INNERPORTION OF SAID CAP MEANS; SLEEVE MEANS CARRIED ABUTMENT MEANSPROJECTING GENERALLY LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE GENERALLY CYLINDRICALOUTER PORTION OF SAID SLEEVE MEANS; AND VALVE MEANS CARRIED ABUTMENTMEANS PROJECTING GENERALLY LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE GENERALLYCYLINDRICAL OUTER PORTION OF SAID VALVE MEANS; SAID CAP MEANS CARRIEDABUTMENT MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH SAID SLEEVE MEANS CARRIEDABUTMENT MEANS AND SAID VALVE MEANS CARRIED ABUTMENT MEANS TO CAUSE THESIMULTANEOUS ROTATION AND CLOSING OF SAID VALVE MEANS AND SECURING OFSAID CAP MEANS ON SAID SLEEVE MEANS WHEN SAID CAP MEANS IS ROTATED INONE DIRECTION AND FOR CAUSING SIMULTANEOUS ROTATION AND OPENING OF SAIDVALVE MEANS AND FREEING OF SAID CAP MEANS IN RELATION TO SAID SLEEVEMEANS TO ALLOW ITS AXIAL REMOVAL THEREFROM WHEN SAID CAP MEANS ISROTATED IN AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION.